Kashmir minister asked to resign after pilgrimage

New Delhi, Aug 25 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Public Works Department Minister G.M. Saroori will be asked to resign after he returns from his pilgrimage to Mecca (Umra) after his daughter was accused of engaging an impersonator in a medical entrance exam, party sources said here. Union minister and All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Prithviraj Chavan told reporters that Saroori will be asked to step down.

However, Saroori’s aides in Srinagar told IANS over phone that they had “no information from the ‘Saheb’ (Saroori) or party officials”.

“Saroori saheb left for Umra from Delhi Wednesday before the reported statement by Chavan,” a staffer in Saroori’s office said.

Saroori’s daughter Huma Tabassum has been accused of engaging an impersonator during a medical entrance examination Aug 21.

The woman impersonator was among seven people arrested during the exam.

However, Saroori has denied the allegation, describing it as a “misinformation campaign” to tarnish his image.

He pointed out that his daughter was continuing her bachelor’s degree course at the Government Women’s College, Srinagar.

Senior National Conference leader Ram Paul, whose son is also facing similar charges, resigned from all party posts Wednesday.